Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica fishing in a freshwater lake to feed its chick

Abstract

We present details for the observation of an adult Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica collecting food in Lake Linnévatnet (78°02’N 13°48’E), the second largest freshwater lake in the Svalbard archipelago, on 11 August 2020. The bird was seen frequently diving and accumulating fish in its bill. All circumstances considered, we think the bird intended to feed a chick in the nearby Vardeborg colony. This is the first published record of a breeding Atlantic Puffin searching for food in freshwater. We discuss this finding in the light of the scarce information available on the species’ feeding ecology in high-arctic breeding areas.